U.N. Secretary-General Guterres: climate emergency is a clear and present danger to the world.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day of Peace, observed on 21 September:

"Peace is at the heart of all our work at the United Nations. And we know peace is much more than a world free of war. It means resilient, stable societies where everyone can enjoy fundamental freedoms and thrive rather than struggle to meet basic needs.

"Today, peace faces a new danger: the climate emergency, which threatens our security, our livelihoods and our lives. That is why it is the focus of this year’s International Day of Peace. And it’s why I am convening a Climate Action Summit.

"This is a global crisis. Only by working together can we make our only home peaceful, prosperous and safe for us and future generations.

"On this International Day of Peace, I urge all of you: take concrete climate action and demand it of your leaders. This is a race we can and must win."